Catalyst loading and baffle tool



Sept 28, 1954 R. MILLER ETAL CATALYST LOADING AND BAFFLE TOOL Filed Nov. 6, 1952 fie. 5

TORS

BY bm ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 28, 1954 2,690,267 CATALYST LOADING AND BAFFLE TOOL Roy Lee Miller, Canton, and Arthur Harding Parsons, Yazoo City, M1

ss., assignors to Mississippi Chemical Corporation, Yazoo City, Miss., a corporation of Mississippi Application November 6, 1952, Serial No. 319,112

5 Claims. l

The present invention relates to a tool useful in charging convertor tubes in apparatus for conducting catalytic chemical reactions, and is more particularly concerned with a tool for repetitively levelling and ta-mping measured catalyst portions and positioning a baffle plate thereon.

An object of the invention is to eliminate the inaccuracies involved in the positioning of baliies in convertor tubes and to reduce the time formerly required in the charging of convertor tubes.

Another object is to provide a tool that is capable of simultaneously positioning a baffle, levelling and tamping a measured quantity of catalyst.

Reactions involving the use of catalysts are well known in the chemical industry. A. particular catalyst is placed in a convertor tube and the reactant uids are introduced into the tubes under desirably controlled thermal and pressure conditions.

It has been found that, when the catalyst is placed in the convertor tubes without baiiles, a phenomenon known as channeling occurs within the tube. As a consequence of the channeling the fluids passing through the convertor tube do not gain the full advantage of the theoretical surface area provided by the finely divided particles of catalyst material.l It is found that the channeling can be reduced by the introduction of baffles into the convertor tube when the tube is charged. The baffles are placed in staggered positions along the length of the charged convertor tube, spaced at intervals determined by the successive measures of catalyst. These baffles deflect the flow of the fluid through the convertor tube, causing a wide dispersion of the fluid through the interstices of the catalyst, and making more efficient use of the catalytic surface area available in the charged convertor tube. The baiiles are thin metal discs or wafers of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the convertor tube. A chordal cut characterizes the otherwise round appearance of the baffles. When the bale is in position in the convertor tube the direct flow of the uid is blocked. The fluid seeks an escape and is directed aro-und the baffle and by the baille-formed barrier through the gap left between the convertor tube wall and the chordal cut in the baffle. The next bai ne, encountered by the moving iiuid, is oppositely oriented in the convertor tube and the obstruction to the movement of the fluid formed by the baffle similarly directs the fluid flow. The baffle positioning continues at regular intervals along' the charged convertor tube and the general effect is to produce a zig-zag passage of the fluid through the convertor tube.

Heretofore the charging of a convertor tube has followed a time consuming pattern. An operator standing at the open end vof a convertor tube measures and pours a portion of the charge into the convertor tube. tamps and levels the catalyst charge aided by a long tampingrod and a flashlight. After each charge of catalyst is tamped and levelled a bafiie is dropped into the convertor tube. The operator, aided by a long rod, pokes and prods the baille into its desired position. The routine is repeated until the convertor tube is fully charged. This method is time consuming and has resulted in poor positioning of the baffles. Even with the most experienced of loading operators the poor positioning of the baiiles has resulted in non-uniform production efficiencies.

' The present invention of a tool for combining the tamping and leveling operations with the positioning of the baiiles has minimized the man hours required for charging convertor tubes.

The more uniformpositioning of the baffles hasl resulted in more uniform production efficiency.

These and other features, capabilities, and advantages of the invention will appear from the description which follows and from the accompanying drawings in whichz.

Figure l is a side view of the catalyst loading and baiile vtool showing the tamper released.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the centerline of the catalyst loading and baie tool showing the tamper poised and revealing the internal assembly.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section of the convertor tube showing the catalyst loading and baille tool in position with the tamper having levelled the charge of catalyst particles, tamped the charge, and having positioned the baffle.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-section of the convertor tube showing the catalyst loading and baiile tool in position with the tamper poised and with a baiiie in place.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the baille before deformation.

E-igure 6 is an end view of the baffle after deformation and prior to insertion in the tamper barrel.

Referring more specifically to said drawings:

rlhe suspension frame il supports the weight of the catalyst loading and baffle tool when it is suspendedby a conventional crane or other Where the hoisting mechanism, not shown.

Then the operator lterms top and bottom are used herein, top

has reference to the end of the catalyst loading and baiile tool having the eye-ring I2 for manipulation by a crane or other hoisting device. The bottom referred to herein relates to the end of the catalyst lo-ading and baffle too-l which engages the catalyst charge. The eye-ring I2 is attached to the top of the suspension frame II to permit easy manipulation of the tool. A hook I3 is located directly beneath the eye-ring I2l inside of the suspension frame II and. aty the center of the top of said suspension frame I'I. The hook I3 is for suspending the tamper ifi and the tamper rod I5 by means of engagingv thebail I6 which is pivotally attached tc` a connection Il, such as a pipe T, which connection I'I is in turn fastened to the tamper rod, I5. A guide jacket I8 is attached to the bottom center of the suspension frame II. An aperture in the center bottom of the suspension frame Il permits the introduction. of the. guide jacket I3 through the bottom of the suspension irame II and a bumper plate or collar I9 is xed to both the frame II and the guidejacket I8. The bumper plate I 9. is a metal. ring or cylinder which. prevents` the guide jacket I8. from falling free of the suspension frame II. The bumper plate IIS also serves as a stop against which the connection I'I will fall and1 stop if the hook I3 is disengaged from the bail I6. when the catalyst loading and battle tool has not engaged the catalyst 22. The guide jacket I8 is tubular and permits the movement of the tamper rod I5 vertically but restricts the lateral movement of the tamper rod I5. The guide jacket I8 may be made in sections so that the length of the catalyst loading and baille; tool can bel varied by inserting new lengths orA subtracting lengths ofk guide jacket I8 therefrom. In similar manner, the tamper rod I5 can be sectional in equivalent lengths to the guide jacket I8. The insertion of the extra lengths is readily accomplished by the use of conventional connections', a collarless embodiment being indicated in the male and female connections shown in Figure 2. The guide jacket I8 is attached at the bottom to the tamper barrel at thecenter of the tamper barrel top plate 2I. The tamper barrel top plate 2I has a registering hole for the positioning of` thel guide jacket I8 which registering hole also permits the vertical movement of the tamper rod I5 affecting an annular closure at the top of the tamper barrel 20.. Attached to the end of the tamper rodA I5 is the tamper I4. The tamper I4V is a solid metal cylinder, preferably made of bronze `although any heavy metal cylinder would serve satisfactorily depending upon the nature of the particles of catalyst 22 to be levelled and tamped. The tamper (4 isv of such' a diameter as to move freely up and down in the tamper barrel 20, the upward travel of the tamper I4 being limited by the annular closure affected by the tamper barrel top plate 2l and its lower travel limited either by the engagement with the catalyst 22 or the engagement of the bumper plate I9 With the connection Il.. which ever occurs first when the bail I6 is released from the hook |31 The tamper barrel 2D is closed at' its top by the tamper barrel top plate 2l except for the registering hole at the center of the tamper barrel top plate 2I which permits the attachment of thev guide jacket I8 and the free passage of the tamper rod I5.. The tamper barrel 20 is. perforated circumferentially just below the attachment of the. tamper barrel top plate 2|.

The perforations 23 permit gases to escape from between the tamper I4 and the tamper barrel top plate 2I which speeds up the return movement of the tamper It to its poised position as shown in Figure 2.

At the bottom of the tamper barrel 26 semicircula-r cut-outs 26 truncate the catalyst engaging edge. A shallow annular bafiie receiving groove 24 is cut internally into the tamper barrel 20 slightly back from the lips 29 of the tamper barrel 2U.

The baffle 25 is preformed as shown in Figure 6 and is arranged so as to be pushed between the lips. 29 of the tamper barrel being retained displaceably by the edges of the baie 25 engaging the annular bafe receiving groove 2li.

In operation the catalyst particles 22 are measured into the convertor tube 2l' at the top, the measure of the charge settling unevenly to the bottom of the convertor tube 2? and over the inlet 2B. A crane or other hoisting mechanism` centers the catalyst loading .and baffle tool over they open convertor tube 2l, the catalyst loadingv and baiie tool being suspended by the eye-ring I2 in the suspension frame I i The bail or handle I6 is engaged on the hook I?, as in Figure. 2. rThe operator inserts a metal bale 25, deformed asl in Figure 6, intov the open end of the tamper barrel 2t, so that its edges engage the annular groove 2li. The baffle 5A is snapped into position in the groove 24, access for insertion being provided by the truncations 26 which establish the lips 29, the crane or hoist lowers the .assembly as seen in Figure 2 into the convertor tube 2l until the lips 29 of the tamper barrel 2G engage the catalyst 22, the tamper barrel 2t guiding on the inside of the convertor tube 21 as indicated in Figure fi. The operator then disengages the bail or handle I6 from the hook I3 and the weight of the tamper I3 with its attached tamper rod i5 causes the tamper lill to fall inside of the tamper barrel 20, the tarnpe1 I4 being additionally guided by the guide jacket I8 restraining lateral displacement of the tamper rod If5. When the tamper it falls it strikes the baille 25 which the operator has previously sprung into place in the annular groove 24. rEhe bale 2.5 is thereby disengaged from the annular groove 24l and is positioned by the tamper i4. Simultaneously the tamper It levels and tamps the catalyst particles 22 inside the convertor tube 2. The tamper M is lifted by means of the bail or handle i6, attached to the tamper rod I5, and secured in its poised position, shown in Figure 2, by engaging the bail or handle I5- with the hook I3. The catalyst loading and baliie tool is removed` from the convertor tube 2l and the operation of measuring and pouring the catalyst 22 is repeated.

When the operator displaceably inserts the next baille 25 intov the annular grooves 24 of the tamper barrel 2Q, he rotates the catalyst loading andi bale tool degrees,

The catalyst loading and bafie tool is run into the convertor tube 2l. The bail itl is disengaged from the hook i3 and the tamper i4 falls disengaging the displaceably positioned baille 25, and levelling and tamping the catalyst charge 22. The baiie 25 is now rrnly positioned oppositely to the previously inserted bale' 25, and the operations are repeated until the catalyst 22 and the alternatively positioned baffles 25 ll the converter tube 2.1.

The invention has been described as showing a commercial embodiment thereof.. There has been no attempt to show any further adaptations thereof and it is believed that this disclosure Will enable those skilled in the art to adapt the invention as may be desired.

We claim:

l. In a tool for charging chemical reactor convertor tubes, the combination of a tamper barrel having a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of said converter tubes into which said tamper barrel is lowered and having an open end provided with means for receiving and displaceably retaining a baiiie and having at the other end an annular closure; a slidable tamper in said tamper barrel adapted to displace a baie from said retaining means; a tamper rod attached to said tamper; and, a guide jacket attached to said annular closure,fsaid guide jacket encasing said tamper rod slidably.

2. In a tool for charging chemical reactor convertor tubes, the combination of: a tamper barrel having an open end provided with an annular groove for receiving and displaceably retaining a barile and having at the other end an annular closure; a slidable tamper in said tamper barrel and adapted to displace a baiiie from said groove; a tamper rod attached to said tamper; and, a guide jacket attached to said annular closure, said guide jacket encasing said tamper rod slidably.

3. In a tool for charging chemical reactor convertor tubes, the combination of a tamper barrel having an open end provided with an annular groove for holding a deformed baffle; a slidable tamper in said tamper barrel; a rod attached to said tamper at one end and provided with a bail pivotally attached at its other end; a guide jacket for said rod; a suspension frame to which said guide jacket is attached; a hook depending from the top of said suspension frame for releasably engaging said tamper rod bail at its upper end.

4. A tool for charging chemical reactor coni vertor tubes substantially as in claim 3, said guide jacket being made in sections; said tamper rod also being made in sections corresponding in length to the sections of the guide jacket.

5. n a method of loading a converter tube With a plurality of predetermined amounts of uniformly packed catalyst spaced apart by baiiies, the steps which include: introducing a predetermined amount of catalyst into said tube; then placing in said tube a tool displaceably carrying a baiile and provided With a releasably held tamper adapted to disengage said battle from the tool and to level and tamp the aforesaid portion of catalyst; releasing said tamper, disengaging said bale from said tool; withdrawing said tool from the said convertor tube; rotating said tool degrees; and repeating the same sequence of operations until said convertor tube has been filled to the desired point. v

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

